How much is self-pay echocardiogram in the UK?

Self-pay (private) echocardiogram in the UK typically costs £250–£600, with a typical self-pay price around £395. No GP referral or private health insurance is required to pay for treatment yourself, and you can self-fund while remaining on the NHS waiting list.

How much does private echocardiogram cost in the UK?

Private echocardiogram in the UK typically costs £250–£600, with a typical price around £395. Prices vary by hospital group, surgeon experience, and what's included (anaesthesia, follow-ups, physiotherapy). Spire Healthcare, Nuffield Health, Circle Health Group, Ramsay Health Care UK, and HCA Healthcare are the main private hospital groups offering this procedure.

How long is the NHS wait for echocardiogram in the UK?

The current median NHS wait for echocardiogram (within the Cardiology specialty) in England is approximately 11 weeks. The 92nd percentile (long-tail) wait can extend to 32 weeks. Waits vary significantly by NHS trust — see the city breakdowns below for local figures.

Can I switch from NHS to private for echocardiogram?

Yes. You can self-fund or use private health insurance to access echocardiogram privately while remaining on the NHS waiting list. Many patients do this to avoid the long wait. Some private hospitals offer consultation packages where you can be assessed within days. You will not lose your NHS place by getting a private opinion or treatment.

Which cities have the shortest NHS waits for echocardiogram?

Based on the latest NHS England RTT data, the UK cities with the shortest median waits for cardiology (the specialty covering echocardiogram) include Leeds (5 weeks), Sunderland (7 weeks), Derby (8 weeks), Nottingham (8 weeks), Liverpool (9 weeks). See the full city table below.

Is echocardiogram covered by private health insurance?

Most major UK health insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA) cover echocardiogram on standard policies, subject to underwriting and policy terms. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded. Always confirm coverage with your insurer before scheduling.

Echocardiogram cost UK: private from £250

Ultrasound scan of the heart to assess structure and function. Private treatment typically costs £250–£600. The current NHS median wait is around 11 weeks.

Private cost (typical)

£395

Range £250–£600

NHS median wait (England)

11 weeks

Specialty: Cardiology

Long-tail wait (92nd percentile)

32 weeks

163,064 patients waiting

According to TreatCompare analysis of NHS England RTT data, the current national median NHS wait for echocardiogram is approximately 11 weeks, while the 92nd percentile wait is approximately 32 weeks.

According to TreatCompare analysis of published UK private hospital prices, private echocardiogram typically costs £250-£600, with a typical price around £395.

According to TreatCompare analysis, users comparing echocardiogram should check local NHS wait by city or postcode before deciding whether private self-pay, insurance or staying on the NHS list is the better route.

TreatCompare NHS wait and private price model. NHS data month: Apr 2026.

Important context

NHS waiting-time figures are published at trust or specialty level and private prices are indicative ranges. Local eligibility, referral route, clinical urgency, provider package and insurance status can change the real-world choice. TreatCompare is for comparison only and is not medical, legal or financial advice.

Source type: Official NHS waiting-time data and private price model
Primary source: NHS England Referral to Treatment waiting-time data
Reporting period: Apr 2026
Last updated: 2026-07-03
Figure type: Mixed sources
Use: Research and comparison only

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Compare your route

Choose the right echocardiogram comparison route

People often start with the national price, then drill into a city, postcode area or referral route. These links keep that path visible from the top of the page.

Finance options

National overviewCurrentPrivate from £250 with NHS waits across England.Leeds city pageA local NHS wait page with trust context and private price range.Postcode area pagesStart with a postcode area and move into outcode-level pages.Private GP referralCheck same-day GP and referral options before contacting hospitals.All NHS vs privateCompare other procedures if the patient is still researching options.

Decision paths

Compare echocardiogram waits, prices and next actions

These pages are most useful when visitors move from the national benchmark into a local wait, private price range, referral route or price-update action.

Check NHS wait in your areaStart with Leeds, then compare other cities.See private price rangePrivate from £250 to £600.Use postcode pagesMove from postcode area to outcode-level NHS wait context.Compare referral routesPrivate GP and referral-letter options before contacting hospitals.Submit a price updateSend a hospital quote or updated provider fee.Ask for verificationRequest editorial or reviewer checking for this page.

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NHS wait by city — fastest first

City	Median wait	Compare locally
Leeds	5 weeks	See Leeds →
Sunderland	7 weeks	See Sunderland →
Derby	8 weeks	See Derby →
Nottingham	8 weeks	See Nottingham →
Liverpool	9 weeks	See Liverpool →
Bradford	10 weeks	See Bradford →
Newcastle upon Tyne	10 weeks	See Newcastle upon Tyne →
Milton Keynes	10 weeks	See Milton Keynes →
Southampton	10 weeks	See Southampton →
Reading	10 weeks	See Reading →
Bristol	10 weeks	See Bristol →
London	11 weeks	See London →
Oxford	11 weeks	See Oxford →
Middlesbrough	11 weeks	See Middlesbrough →
Portsmouth	11 weeks	See Portsmouth →
Sheffield	11 weeks	See Sheffield →
Brighton	11 weeks	See Brighton →
Coventry	12 weeks	See Coventry →
Birmingham	12 weeks	See Birmingham →
Stoke-on-Trent	12 weeks	See Stoke-on-Trent →
Preston	12 weeks	See Preston →
Manchester	13 weeks	See Manchester →
Leicester	13 weeks	See Leicester →
Norwich	13 weeks	See Norwich →
York	14 weeks	See York →
Plymouth	14 weeks	See Plymouth →
Exeter	14 weeks	See Exeter →
Blackpool	16 weeks	See Blackpool →
Hull	16 weeks	See Hull →
Cambridge	18 weeks	See Cambridge →

Looking for echocardiogram waits by postcode?

We also publish wait times by postcode area, mapped to the NHS trust most likely to accept your GP referral.

See echocardiogram by postcode area →

All English cities

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